started · updated
New South Wales announces major gambling reform package
The New South Wales government has announced a comprehensive AU$95.2 million gambling reform package aimed at reducing harm and tightening industry regulations. A central component of the plan is the introduction of a statewide exclusion register, which will replace the current fragmented system of venue-specific agreements. To enforce these exclusions, the government plans to mandate facial recognition technology at the entrances of gaming rooms by 2028. This technology is intended to help venues identify self-excluded patrons and assist police in monitoring for money laundering.
The reforms also include a ban on gambling advertising on all NSW government and council-owned assets, including major stadium networks. Additionally, the package targets the reduction of the state’s poker machine fleet by increasing the forfeiture rate of gaming machine entitlements from one in three to one in two. Other measures include the elimination of gaming-related VIP programs, new restrictions on direct marketing, and the introduction of a third-party exclusion scheme that allows family members or police to initiate bans for individuals at risk.
While the reforms address many concerns, some critics have noted that the government opted not to make account-based (cashless) gaming mandatory, instead allowing venues to adopt it at their discretion. Furthermore, existing professional sports sponsorships for gambling brands are permitted to continue until late 2031.
Entities
Accor Stadium · Chris Minns · CommBank Stadium · David Harris · Liquor & Gaming NSW · Minns Labor Government · Minns government · NSW Government · NSW Police · New South Wales
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The forfeiture rate will increase from one in three to one in two. www.parranews.com.au · www.westernweekender.com.au
- [● 2 SOURCES] The government did not include a 'super profits' tax on clubs earning more than $20 million in gaming revenue. www.smh.com.au
- [● 2 SOURCES] The statewide exclusion register and mandatory facial recognition are expected to be ready by 2028. www.smh.com.au
- [● 2 SOURCES] Gambling advertising is banned from all NSW Government and Council-owned assets, including the state stadium network. www.parranews.com.au · www.westernweekender.com.au
- [● 3 SOURCES] A third-party exclusion scheme will allow families, friends, police, or venues to initiate bans in hotels and clubs. www.parranews.com.au · www.smh.com.au
- [● 4 SOURCES] The NSW government is introducing a new tranche of gambling reforms. www.parranews.com.au · www.westernweekender.com.au · www.smh.com.au
- [● 4 SOURCES] A NSW statewide exclusion register will be implemented, supported by mandatory facial recognition technology at gaming room entries. www.parranews.com.au · www.westernweekender.com.au · www.smh.com.au
- [● 4 SOURCES] The reforms include the end of gaming-related VIP programs. www.parranews.com.au · www.westernweekender.com.au · www.smh.com.au